Kalopa State Recreation Area
Kalopa State Recreation Area
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
30 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
12
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Rhea S
1 contribution
Jun 2023 • Friends
Cabins are really a duplex situation. You share an uninsulated wall with potentially 8 other people or kids on the other side—earplugs necessary for sleeping. The mattress are very hard foam so bring your own foam or air mattress. The bunk beds won’t accommodate tall or large people so you may need to sleep in the floor. The cabins are cleaned only by the prior occupants so you may want to sanitize a bit before use. The screens aren’t flush on most windows and mosquitoes can be a problem in the cabin. Bring a mosquitaros in case. Also you need to bring all or your own bedding and towels. We used a fan for white noise and circulation since the cabin we rented was stuffy at night. There isn’t any heat so bring warm stuff for evenings. All in all a very uncomfortable and noisy situation for such a peaceful area.
Written June 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna N
Holualoa, HI243 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
The cabins need a refresher, but they do have small mattresses on the bunks, electricity, plenty of hot water, and a large shared kitchen. You might want to think about a small heater, or plenty of cover, as at that altitude, it gets chilly at night. it is quiet, private, has good trails and plenty of space for kids to play.
Written March 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ptraveller1
30 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Have to admit that we did not have great expectations of this small park. One has to travel 3 miles off of the road through a residential area to get there. However, it is a beautiful place with needlepoint plans and an old Hawaiian forest. The hiking is easy and there is an accompanying guide that is available for one dollar so that one has a clear idea of The history of the forest. There are clean cabins for rent. It is a beautiful place to hear the forest in action and to rest. I have to tell you that a visit to the big island would be lacking if one does not visit here. No commercial or touristy gimmicks here. Kudos to the Hawaiians who made this park happen.
Written March 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tony K
Hilo, HI57 contributions
Oct 2012 • Family
I am a lifelong resident of Hawaii Island, but I had not been here until about 5 years ago. Just outside of Honokaa, up a winding rural road is a slice of paradise (for some of us). Giant ginger plants and other interesting flora make for an nice walk around the open areas of the park. There is a .7 mile nature walk on the far side of the park. The walk is in the forest, but it's flat and I would consider it an easy hike - just one notch above the walk to Yosemite falls from the road if you've ever been. If you haven't it's a 1/4 mile on sidewalk. :-)
For me the highlight is the huge, ancient Ohia trees. I say ancient, they are probably about 400 years old. I can't post pics right now, but check this website out. The tree that he's standing in front of gives you an example of these big trees. http://www.mauiguild.com/Woods/ohia.html. It's humbling to stand in next to such large, old trees.
I have 1-2 hours as the recommended visit. You could spend a little more or a little less depending on how fast you walk. The road to the top gets narrow and you'll need to be cautious and courteous on the way up and down. If you enjoy being in nature this is a stop you should make. Get an early start and plan to stop on your way from Hilo to Kona (or vice versa). You'll be in good time to stop at Tex's Drive-in for some of those famous malasadas.
BTW, there was no cell phone network up there the last time I went. I think that's amazing, but in case you get connectivity anxiety, there is a safety phone (landline) in the pavilion where you park.
For me the highlight is the huge, ancient Ohia trees. I say ancient, they are probably about 400 years old. I can't post pics right now, but check this website out. The tree that he's standing in front of gives you an example of these big trees. http://www.mauiguild.com/Woods/ohia.html. It's humbling to stand in next to such large, old trees.
I have 1-2 hours as the recommended visit. You could spend a little more or a little less depending on how fast you walk. The road to the top gets narrow and you'll need to be cautious and courteous on the way up and down. If you enjoy being in nature this is a stop you should make. Get an early start and plan to stop on your way from Hilo to Kona (or vice versa). You'll be in good time to stop at Tex's Drive-in for some of those famous malasadas.
BTW, there was no cell phone network up there the last time I went. I think that's amazing, but in case you get connectivity anxiety, there is a safety phone (landline) in the pavilion where you park.
Written July 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belgianstyle
7 contributions
Aug 2013
We camped there for two nights. It's a beatyful and quiet place.
During the night, there is no guard on duty and the locals like to come there to listen music in their car or to call friends. Be careful, they can be rough!
During the night, there is no guard on duty and the locals like to come there to listen music in their car or to call friends. Be careful, they can be rough!
Written August 29, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pam W
Warner Springs, CA49 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
We drove up to this park on a whim, and were very pleasantly surprised. It is high enough in elevation to be noticeably cooler than the ocean-side. It was founded by a group of people that wanted to preserve some of the native forest from the sugar cane growers that were stripping the forest to create farming acreage. There are nice trails, picnic tables, BBQ, toilets - it's a great set-up for family events. We would have enjoyed staying in the cabins if we'd known about them in advance. We visited in February, and there were only 2 other cars there in the time we visited - quiet and peaceful, and well-maintained.
Written February 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElPelar
Boise, ID58 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
Last week we had a nice day hike at Kalopa. We did the "Old Jeep Trail" , and at the end took a right onto the "Perimeter Trail", which wound its way back to a junction with the Old Jeep trail. Total time was about 1.5 hours. Lots of very tall native trees, ferns, and other interesting fauna. There were sign of wild pig activity, especially around the wild guava trees. Trail was somewhat muddy in spots, but passable. There is a heavy layer of leaves and debris on the forest floor, covering the trail in some places and requiring a bit more time to discern the direction of the trail. The trail was well maintained and no significant obstacles except one large downed tree.
We thank the State of Hawaii for maintaining such as nice area of native plants. There are 2 other small nature trails in the park, with written trail guides available for $1 each.
The park is definitely worth a stop if you enjoy learning about the local flora. It is about a 30 minute drive from Waimea. If it is raining, best to go to the beach on the west side of the Island and come back another time when the east side has dried out a bit.
We thank the State of Hawaii for maintaining such as nice area of native plants. There are 2 other small nature trails in the park, with written trail guides available for $1 each.
The park is definitely worth a stop if you enjoy learning about the local flora. It is about a 30 minute drive from Waimea. If it is raining, best to go to the beach on the west side of the Island and come back another time when the east side has dried out a bit.
Written December 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oatgirl12
New Berlin, WI345 contributions
Dec 2015
We came here to mountain bike, and while the trails were a bit too muddy for our liking on this excursion, it was a nice secluded area with decent facilities (shower, flush toilets) that would make it a nice place to camp and explore hiking.
Written December 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Madelaine M
Vancouver, Canada14 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
This place is magical. It is a well cared for recreation area that is ripe with a variety of indigenous and introduced plants. High up on a mountain (by Hawaii standards). If I had more time I would of checked out the trails and camped up the. I met one of the gardener/landscapers and he was very knowledgeable about the local area and gave me some great info for the rest of my journey.
Written June 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJA44
Calgary, Canada17 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
It was a bit tough to find the trail but after you're on it it's well marked. A nice stroll through the forest
Written March 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are there any Rainbow Eucalyptus trees to be seen here? Thanks!
Written November 9, 2019
We have booked the Golf Room and the Twin Room for my husband, myself and my son for early October -- where are these rooms relative to the front door and the street? Concerned about noise, people coming in and out, street noise. I understand the bathrooms are down the hall for these rooms and that doesn't worry me, very European!
AP Corvallis Oregon
Written December 27, 2014
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